The UK-wide Ashcroft survey, conducted between August 11 and 22, showed that some voters respect the First Minister even if they don’t like her. 38 per cent described her as determined, behind Ms May on 54 per cent but well ahead of Mr Johnson, Jeremy Corbyn and Tim Farron.
Advertisement
A YouGov poll last week saw Ms Sturgeon record an impressive plus-20 approval rating, but she was beaten into second place by Ruth Davidson for the first time ever, with the Scottish Tory leader ranker at plus-21 with Scottish voters.
Draft legislation preparing the way for a second referendum on Scottish independence will be laid before MSPs at Holyrood within a year, Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed.
The first minister revealed that 29 new schools will be completed this school year as part of her government’s £1.8bn building programme.
Davidson made her comments as the First Minister outlined 14 Bills which her SNP administration at Holyrood will introduce – including four pieces of legislation making use of new powers that have just been devolved to Edinburgh. “That is what is holding us back, and stifling investment in our firms”.
The results fit with a pattern of Ms Sturgeon’s declining popularity at United Kingdom level, after she rose to prominence south of the border with impressive showings in TV debates ahead of last year’s general election.
Nicola Sturgeon has been accused of placing a “lead weight” on Scotland’s economy after announcing her government will draw up plans for a second independence referendum that are ready for “immediate introduction”.
The Growth Fund is set to include investment guarantees as well as loans, some of up to £5 million, which will be offered to SMEs that may not otherwise be able to pursue growth due to restrictions on their access to finance.
The Scottish Government has already set up a new business information service to provide advice and support for firms anxious about Brexit while a post-referendum business network is being set up with the Scotland Office, Scottish Trades Union Congress and business organisations to help shape future policy and support.
The Scottish Growth Scheme marked “a new departure for the Scottish Government”, Sturgeon admitted: “It is an exceptional response to an exceptional economic challenge”.
These are “objectives that are all the more important in the new circumstances we face” post-Brexit, Ms Sturgeon said.
On Thursday, Dugdale set out an alternative programme consisting of 13 bills which she believes the Scottish Government should adopt.
“Let this be five years where focusing on jobs, public services and our economy rank as highly as the SNP’s fight for independence”.
Later, the SNP leader added that while the article contained good analysis, the front cover “reinforces the very prejudices she talks about”.
She has pledged to honour Scotland’s vote to retain European Union membership by whatever means possible, including via a possible new independence vote.
“Labour is the only party talking about Scotland’s future, rather than the arguments of the past”.
Advertisement
“That’s the will of the people of Scotland on both issues and it is a will my party shares”.
